Cameroon: Issa Tchiroma Bakary, former minister and former close associate of Paul Biya, launches his presidential candidacy

In a move that is both spectacular and unprecedented, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, a former pillar of the Biya regime and Minister of Employment and Vocational Training, has formalized his candidacy for the October 2025 presidential election, through a letter to Cameroonians published just 24 hours after leaving office.

In this 24-page document, the trained railway engineer pays tribute to the "founding fathers of the nation" while vehemently denouncing a "running out of steam" regime to which he belonged. He acknowledges having "experienced power and I have measured its limits" and takes a direct dig at Paul Biya: "A country cannot exist in the service of one man. It must live in the service of its people."

A minority party that is growing in influence

Tchiroma is the founder and president of the Cameroon National Salvation Front (CNSF), a centrist and economically liberal party previously allied with the CPDM. This party, which has little presence in the National Assembly but is symbolic, could benefit from his status as a political veteran.

Spectacular reforms in chorus

In addition to its high-profile statement, the letter outlines its reform ambitions: a return to a "chosen" federalism, an overhaul of institutions, and a fight against inaction. It describes the October election as a "historic opportunity" for a Cameroon lacking a political alternative.

An opponent already faced with the play-offs

Despite his speech of renewal , his campaign launch is already under tension: an administrative decree has prohibited all political activity of the FSNC in a department in the Far North, a sign that the government does not see it that way.

A presidential field now open

With his candidacy, the electoral debate is expanding. In addition to Paul Biya (92 years old) and the opponent Maurice Kamto (71 years old), already engaged, other figures are emerging: Akere Muna, Cabral Libii, Éric Essono Tsimi… The presidential election of October 5, 2025 promises to be more uncertain and contested than ever.

Issa Tchiroma Bakary chose the very day of his resignation to reaffirm his loyalty to the Cameroonian people rather than to those in power. A bold strategy that could upset the balance of power in an election that has so far been dominated by generational and institutional issues.